Contact Information
Biography
Bruce Ledewitz is a professor of law at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. He teaches in the areas of state and federal constitutional law and jurisprudence, specializing in law and religion and law and the secular. Ledewitz is co-director of Duquesne Kline's Pennsylvania Constitution website. In 1981, Ledewitz founded the Allegheny County Death Penalty Project, which he directed for 13 years. He co-founded the Western Pennsylvania Coalition Against the Death Penalty and served from 1985-1990 as secretary of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. He is past winner of the Allegheny County Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award, the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Liberty Award, the Marjorie Matson Civil Liberties Award and the Inaugural Dr. John & Liz Murray Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship in 2012.
Ledewitz writes a biweekly column on public affairs for the Pennsylvania Capital Star. He is the author of four books, including a forthcoming book from Oxford Univ. Press: The Universe Is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life. Ledewitz received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and his J.D. from Yale Law School.
Blog
Education
- J.D., Yale Law School, 1977
- B.S.F.S., Foreign Service, Georgetown University, 1974
Honors/Professional Affiliations
- Dr. John & Liz Murray Award for Excellence in Faculty Scholarship 2017
- Allegheny County Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award
- Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Liberty Award
- Marjorie Matson Civil Liberties Award
Profile Information
About
FALL
Constitutional Law
Pennsylvania State Constitutional Law
SPRING
Philosophy of Law
"Bends Towards Justice" is an original podcast created and hosted by Duquesne Kline's Professor Bruce Ledewitz. The show is produced in partnership with The August Wilson African American Cultural Center and funded by The Pittsburgh Foundation. The podcast asks a simple, but fundamental question-do we agree with Dr. King that arc of the moral universe bends toward justice? The guests in this series provide a variety of perspectives on that question. The goal of the podcast is for the listener to understand what is at stake in this question and to come to a decision.
Episode 1
Introduction to MLK's concept that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice
Episode 2
Michael Shermer: Despite the discourse, at present, humanity is kinder and gentler
Episode 3
A conversation with Joseph Carter: The universe doesn't care about your purpose
Episode 4
A conversation with Christian Miller: Is character in decline in America?
Episode 5
A conversation with Tracey McCants Lewis: Will the moral universe bend toward justice?
Episode 6
Damon Young doesn't want to wait for the arc
The Universe is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life
Bruce Ledewitz, The Universe is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life
(Oxford University Press 2021).
Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism
Bruce Ledewitz, Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism (Indiana University
Press 2011).
Hallowed Secularism: Theory, Belief, Practice
Bruce Ledewitz, Hallowed Secularism: Theory, Belief, Practice (Palgrave Macmillan
2009).
American Religious Democracy: Coming to Terms with the End of Secular Politics
Bruce Ledewitz, American Religious Democracy: Coming to Terms with the End of Secular
Politics (Praeger 2007).
Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics, by David E. Campbell, Geoffrey
C. Layman, and John C. Green [book review]
Bruce Ledewitz, Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics. Journal of Church and State (2021) (reviewing David E. Campbell, Geoffrey C. Layman,
and John C. Green, Secular Surge: A New Fault Line in American Politics).
What Has Gone Wrong and What Can We Do About It? [book review]
Bruce Ledewitz, What Has Gone Wrong and What Can We Do About It? 54 Tulsa L. Rev. 247 (2019) (reviewing Benjamin I Page and Martin Gilens, Democracy
in America (2018), Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, How Democracies Die (2018)
and Lawrence Lessig, America, Compromised (2018)).
The Sacred Rights of Conscience, Edited by Daniel L. Dreisbach and Mark David Hall
[book review]
Bruce Ledewitz, The Sacred Rights of Conscience, Edited by Daniel L. Dreisbach and Mark David Hall, 5 Unbound - Ann. Rev. Leg. Hist. & Rare Books 100 (2012).
A Call for Amerca's Law Professors to Oppose Court-Packing
Bruce Ledewitz, A Call for Amerca's Law Professors to Oppose Court-Packing, Pepperdine L.Rev. (2019).
The Supreme Court Will Preserve the Bladensburg Cross, But It Matters How
Bruce Ledewitz, The Supreme Court Will Preserve the Bladensburg Cross, But It Matters How, Washington Examiner, March 21, 2019.
What is the Best Model for Investigating Presidential Wrongdoing Today?
Bruce Ledewitz, What is the Best Model for Investigating Presidential Wrongdoing Today?, 57 Duq. L.Rev. 225 (2019). HeinOnline
SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case: Roberts Didn't Defend Constitutional Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, SCOTUS Gerrymandering Case: Roberts Didn't Defend Constitutional Democracy, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, July 2, 2019.
Is There Room for a Middle Ground in the Debate Over Abortion Rights?
Bruce Ledewitz, Is There Room for a Middle Ground in the Debate Over Abortion Rights?, Pennsylvania Capital-Star, June 27, 2019.
Taking the Threat to Democracy Seriously
Bruce Ledewitz, Taking the Threat to Democracy Seriously, 49 U. Memphis L.Rev. 1305 (2019). HeinOnline
How State Courts Can Help America Recover the Rule of Law: The Pennsylvania Experience
Bruce Ledewitz, How State Courts Can Help America Recover the Rule of Law: The Pennsylvania Experience, 82 Albany L.Rev. 1325 (2019).
The Obama Judge and the Foundations of the Rule of Law
Bruce Ledewitz, The Obama Judge and the Foundations of the Rule of Law, Jurist, December 2, 2018.
The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse
Bruce Ledewitz, The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse, 56 Duq. L.Rev. 21-47 (Summer 2018). HeinOnline, SSRN
Kennedy's Retirement: Despair Not, Go Out and Organize
Bruce Ledewitz, Kennedy's Retirement: Despair Not, Go Out and Organize, Jurist, June 28, 2018.
Why Won't Free Speech Save Us?
Bruce Ledewitz, Why Won't Free Speech Save Us?, Starting Points, June 11, 2018.
When I Left the Darwin Day Committee
Bruce Ledewitz, When I Left the Darwin Day Committee, 122 Penn St. L. Rev. Penn Statim 1 (2018).
A Lost Opportunity to Reach a Consensus on Gerrymandering
Bruce Ledewitz, A Lost Opportunity to Reach a Consensus on Gerrymandering, Jurist, Feb. 13, 2018.
Has Nihilism Politicized the Supreme Court Nomination Process?
Bruce Ledewitz, Has Nihilism Politicized the Supreme Court Nomination Process? 32 BYU J. Pub. L. 1-46 (2017). SSRN
Is Religion a Non-Negotiable Aspect of Liberal Constitutionalism?
Bruce Ledewitz, Is Religion a Non-Negotiable Aspect of Liberal Constitutionalism?, 2017 Mich. St. L. Rev. 209 (2017). SSRN
The Role of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools in the Renewal of American Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, The Role of Religiously Affiliated Law Schools in the Renewal of American Democracy, 12 U. Mass. L. Rev. 230 (2017). SSRN
The Threat of Independent Political Spending to Democratic Life - and a Plan to Stop
It
Bruce Ledewitz, The Threat of Independent Political Spending to Democratic Life - and a Plan to Stop
It, 64 (2) Clev. St. L. Rev. 133 (2016). SSRN
The Five Days in June when Values Died in American Law
Bruce Ledewitz, The Five Days in June when Values Died in American Law, 49 (1) Akron L. Rev. 115 (2016). SSRN
Beyond Edmunds: The State Constitutional Legacy of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille
Bruce Ledewitz, Beyond Edmunds: The State Constitutional Legacy of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, 53 Duq. L. Rev. 371 (2015). SSRN
An Addendum in Light of Recent Developments
Bruce Ledewitz, An Addendum in Light of Recent Developments, 53 Duq. L. Rev. 561 (2015). DSC
Experimenting with Religious Liberty: The Quasi-Constitutional Status of Religious
Exemptions
Bruce Ledewitz, Experimenting with Religious Liberty: The Quasi-Constitutional Status of Religious
Exemptions, 6 Elon L.R. 37 (2014). HeinOnline, SSRN
The Vietnam Draft Cases and the Pro-Religion Equality Project
Bruce Ledewitz,The Vietnam Draft Cases and the Pro-Religion Equality Project 43 U. Balt. L.Rev. 1 (2014). HeinOnline, SSRN
Robert Taylor, An Appreciation
Bruce Ledewitz, Robert Taylor, An Appreciation, 50 Duq. L. Rev. 469 (2012). HeinOnline
Toward a Meaning-Full Establishment Clause Neutrality
Bruce Ledewitz, Toward a Meaning-Full Establishment Clause Neutrality, 87 Chi.-Kent L. Rev. 3 (2012). SSRN
Seeking Common Ground: A Secular Statement
Bruce Ledewitz, Seeking Common Ground: A Secular Statement, 38 Hastings Const. L.Q. 49 (2010). HeinOnline
Could Government Speech Endorsing a Higher Law Resolve the Establishment Clause Crisis
Bruce Ledewitz, Could Government Speech Endorsing a Higher Law Resolve the Establishment Clause Crisis, 41 St. Mary's L.J. 41 (2009) HeinOnline
The New New Secularism and the End of the Law of Separation of Church and State
Bruce Ledewitz, The New New Secularism and the End of the Law of Separation of Church and State, 28 Buff. Pub. Int. L.J. 1 (2009) HeinOnline
Up Against the Wall of Separation: The Question of American Religious Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, Up Against the Wall of Separation: The Question of American Religious Democracy, 14 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 555 (2005) HeinOnline
The Present and Future of Federalism
Bruce Ledewitz, The Present and Future of Federalism, 43 Duq. L. Rev. 645 (2005). HeinOnline, SSRN
Justice Harlan's Law and Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, Justice Harlan's Law and Democracy, 20 J.L. & Pol. 373 (2004) HeinOnline
A Constitution for Everyone
Bruce Ledewitz, A Constitution for Everyone, 43 Duq. L. Rev. 1 (2004). HeinOnline, SSRN
Corporate Advertising's Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, Corporate Advertising's Democracy, 12 B.U. Pub. Int. L.J. 389 (2003). HeinOnline
The Promise of Democracy
Bruce Ledewitz, The Promise of Democracy, 32 Cap. U. L. Rev. 407 (2003). HeinOnline, SSRN
The Constitutions of Sustainable Capitalism and Beyond
Bruce Ledewitz, The Constitutions of Sustainable Capitalism and Beyond, 29 B. C. Envtl. Aff. L Rev. 229 (2002) HeinOnline
Mr. Carroll's Mental State or What is Meant by Intent
Bruce Ledewitz, Mr. Carroll's Mental State or What is Meant by Intent, 38 Am. Crim. L. Rev. 71 (2001). HeinOnline, SSRN
When Federal Law is Also State Law: The Implications for State Constitutional Law
Methodology of Footnote Seven in Commonwealth v. Matos
Bruce Ledewitz, When Federal Law is Also State Law: The Implications for State Constitutional Law
Methodology of Footnote Seven in Commonwealth v. Matos, 72 Temp. L. Rev. 561 (1999) HeinOnline
Establishing a Federal Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment in Us and in
Our Posterity
Bruce Ledewitz, Establishing a Federal Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment in Us and in
Our Posterity, 68 Miss. L.J. 565 (1998) HeinOnline
The Law of the Jubilee in Modern Perspective
Bruce Ledewitz; Robert D. Taylor, The Law of the Jubilee in Modern Perspective, 22 Vt. L. Rev. 157 (1997) HeinOnline
Law and the Coming Environmental Catastrophe
Bruce Ledewitz; Robert D. Taylor, Law and the Coming Environmental Catastrophe, 21 Wm. & Mary. Envtl. L. & Pol'y Rev. 599 (1997) HeinOnline
Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Death Penalty Law
Bruce Ledewitz, Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Death Penalty Law, 33 Duq. L. Rev. 523 (1995) HeinOnline
Perspectives on the Law of the American Sit-in
Bruce Ledewitz, Perspectives on the Law of the American Sit-in, 16 Whittier L. Rev. 499 (1995) HeinOnline
The Role of Lower State Courts in Adapting State Law to Changed Federal Interpretations
Bruce Ledewitz, The Role of Lower State Courts in Adapting State Law to Changed Federal Interpretations, 67 Temp. L. Rev. (1994). HeinOnline, SSRN
What's Really Wrong with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Bruce Ledewitz, What's Really Wrong with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 32 Duq. L. Rev. 3 (1994). HeinOnline, SSRN
No Punishment without Cruelty
Bruce Ledewitz; Scott Staples, No Punishment without Cruelty, 4 Geo. Mason U. C.R. L.J. 41 (1993). HeinOnline
Sources of Injustice in Death Penalty Practice: The Pennsylvania Experience
Bruce Ledewitz, Sources of Injustice in Death Penalty Practice: The Pennsylvania Experience, 95 Dickinson L. Rev. 651-690 (1991). HeinOnline, SSRN
The Morality of Capital Punishment: An Exchange
Bruce Ledewitz, The Morality of Capital Punishment: An Exchange, 29 Duq. L. Rev. 719 (1991). SSRN
Civil Disobedience, Injunctions, and the First Amendment
Bruce Ledewitz, Civil Disobedience, Injunctions, and the First Amendment, 19 Hofstra L. Rev. 67 (1990). SSRN
An Essay Concerning Judicial Resignation and Non-Cooperation in the Presence of Evil
Bruce Ledewitz, An Essay Concerning Judicial Resignation and Non-Cooperation in the Presence of Evil, 27 Duq. L. Rev. 1 (1988). SSRN
Judicial Conscience and Natural Rights: A Reply to Professor Jaffa
Bruce Ledewitz, Judicial Conscience and Natural Rights: A Reply to Professor Jaffa, 10 U. Puget Sound L. Rev. 449 (1987). SSRN
The Requirement of Death: Mandatory Language in the Pennsylvania Death Penalty Statute
Bruce Ledewitz, The Requirement of Death: Mandatory Language in the Pennsylvania Death Penalty Statute, Paper No. 2011-16, Duquesne University School of Law Research Paper (1982). SSRN
The Uncertain Power of the President to Execute the Laws
Bruce Ledewitz, The Uncertain Power of the President to Execute the Laws, 46 Tenn. L. Rev. 757 (1979). SSRN
Law's Quandary Can Only Be Solved by the Universe--and that goes for the rest of us,
too.
Bruce Ledewitz, Law's Quandary Can Only Be Solved by the Universe--and that goes for
the rest of us, too, Larry Grimes Lecture at Bethany College (Oct. 7, 2021)
Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law
Bruce Ledewitz, Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law, Duquesne University
School of Law Continuing Legal Education (Sept. 25, 2021)
The Constitution and Citizenship in America
Bruce Ledewitz, The Constitution and Citizenship in America, Constitution Day Duquesne
University School of Law (Sept. 17, 2021)
Saving Judicial Independence From Court-Packing and Nihilism
Bruce Ledewitz, Saving Judicial Independence From Court-Packing and Nihilism, Celebrating
150 Years of Nine Justices, Elon Law Review Ledewitz interviewing Tracey McCants Lewis.
Symposium on Judicial Independence (Sept. 27, 2019).
Anti-Semitism
Bruce Ledewitz, Anti-Semitism, panel presentation at Duquesne University (March 18,
2019).
To Save American Democracy, Prevent Court-Packing
Bruce Ledewitz, To Save American Democracy, Prevent Court-Packing, presentation at
University of Memphis Law Review 2019 Symposium, Barriers at the Ballot Box: Protecting
or Limiting the Core of the American Identity? (March 15, 2019).
Special Counsel Investigations and Legal Ethics
Bruce Ledewitz, Special Counsel Investigations and Legal Ethics, CLE at Duquesne Law
School (February 8, 2019).
The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse
Bruce Ledewitz, The Resurrection of Trust in American Law and Public Discourse, symposium
at Shall These Bones Live? Resurrecting Truth in American Law and Public Discourse
(Nov. 16-17, 2017).
Should the Death Penalty be Executed?
Bruce Ledewitz, Should the Death Penalty be Executed?, Panel sponsored by the Federalist
Society, The American Constitution Society and The Criminal Law Society at Duquesne
University School of Law (2014).
Tribute to Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille
Bruce Ledewitz, Tribute to Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, presentation at Duquesne
University School of Law (Oct. 7, 2014).
The End of an Era in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law: The Retirement of Chief Justice
Ronald D. Castille
Bruce Ledewitz, The End of an Era in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law: The Retirement
of Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille, CLE at Duquesne University School of Law.
Law and Religion in America Today
Bruce Ledewitz, Law and Religion in America Today, CLE at St. Vincent University (August
18, 2013).
Are We All Really Mostly Religious?
Bruce Ledewitz, Are We All Really Mostly Religious?, presentation at the Third Church/State
Issues Symposium of the Delaware Valley Chapter of Americans United for Separation
of Church and State (April 20 2013).
We Are All Religious Now: How the Vietnam-Era Draft Cases Can Reduce America's Emnity
Over Religion
Bruce Ledewitz, We Are All Religious Now: How the Vietnam-Era Draft Cases Can Reduce
America's Emnity Over Religion, presentation at Florida State University Conference
on Religion and Law in American History (March 24 2013).
Meeting of Federalist Society
Bruce Ledewitz, commentary on presentation by Greg Lukianoff, Director of FIRE, at
meeting of Federalist Society at Duquesne University School of Law (March 20, 2013).
On Taking Nihilism Seriously
Bruce Ledewitz, Participant, On Taking Nihilism Seriously, panel at annual meeting
of Lumen Christi and Christian Law Professors (Jan. 5, 2013).
Secularism, Religion and Morality
Bruce Ledewitz, Secularism, Religion and Morality, CLE presentation at Duquesne University
School of Law (February 11, 2012).
Emerging Issues in First Amendment Jurisprudence: Interpreting the Relationship Between
Religion and the State in the Modern Age
Bruce Ledewitz, Participant, Emerging Issues in First Amendment Jurisprudence: Interpreting
the Relationship Between Religion and the State in the Modern Age, panel at Elon Law
Review Symposium (October 26, 2012).
Annual Religious Legal Theory Conference
Bruce Ledewitz, Panel presentation at annual Religious Legal Theory Conference, at
Pepperdine University School of Law (Feb. 25, 2012).
Is There a Crisis in American Secularism?
Bruce Ledewitz, Is There a Crisis in American Secularism?, delivered to the Pittsburgh
Chapter of the Center for Inquiry (Jan. 12, 2012).